Monticello finally ends search for new school district superintendent

MONTICELLO – A new superintendent has been selected to head the Monticello Central School District just ahead of current Superintendent Daniel Teplesky’s scheduled retirement on Sept. 1.

The district Board of Education announced it had chosen Tammy Mangus, who is the current assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, as the next superintendent following a longer-than-expected selection process. The school year is scheduled to being on Sept. 4.

Mangus will be receiving an annual salary of $165,000 to run a district with 3,010 students and 581 employees. Teplesky currently earns a salary of $173,500 per year.

In a statement released Monday, Magnus said she was excited to serve in the position as superintendent and what she will be able to accomplish in the future.

“I look forward to working in partnership with our dedicated faculty and staff, as well as members of the school board and our community, to provide students the very best education we have to offer,” Magnus said. “As we move forward, I envision a district built on a foundation of strong relationships, innovative thinking and cutting edge programs. We want other to look at Monticello and seek to emulate what we do as an educational institution.”

The search, conducted by both the board and Sullivan County BOCES Superintendent Larry Thomas, began during the winter of 2013, according to the release, with applications for the position due in February.

Final interviews were set to be concluded in May, following two public forums held earlier in the year, with the board set to make its final decision later in the month. However, according to the release, the “open search” didn’t end with a consensus among board members.

The board then conducted further review of the candidates before selecting Magnus, who board President Stacey Sharoff said in a statement had the best qualities to take on the role of superintendent.

“The board looks forward to working with Ms. Magnus in this new role,” Sharoff said. “We believe her knowledge of our district, as well as time spent as assistant superintendent, position her as the most qualified candidate for the role of superintendent of schools.”